Chapter Summaries

A white-clad youth fleeing a massacre was cornered by black-clad killers on a cliff at Mount Qingcheng. Their leader revealed that the Yongping Prefect had ordered the youth’s family killed and that his fiancée Jingjing had willingly chosen Song Xiuyuan, leaving the youth devastated as the killers prepared to finish him.

• The white-clad youth fled through Mount Qingcheng until a cliff blocked his escape, and the black-clad killers surrounded him.
• The youth demanded to know why the killers had slaughtered his family, and their leader said he had offended a powerful person.
• The youth suspected Song Xiuyuan, and the leader confirmed that the prefect had ordered the massacre to hide the disgrace of his son taking another man’s fiancée.
• The leader told the youth that Jingjing had willingly become Song Xiuyuan’s lover and that her father had long allied himself with the Song Family.
• The youth rejected the revelation and collapsed in anguish as the killers mocked him.

Yang Pingzhi survived the assassins’ attack by falling against a giant white python, but the serpent swallowed him before he could ask it for help. The python then turned its gaze on the assassins, who fled in terror.

• Yang Pingzhi swore revenge on the Song Family, the Yao Family, Song Xiuyuan, and Yao Wenjing as the assassins closed in on him.
• The assassins charged, and Yang Pingzhi stepped backward over the cliff’s edge, convinced Heaven would protect him.
• A giant white python rose behind Yang Pingzhi and stopped his fall against its scales.
• Yang Pingzhi greeted the python and imagined that it would help him gain power and avenge his blood feud.
• The white python swallowed Yang Pingzhi alive, then frightened the assassins into fleeing.

Bai Suzhen guarded Gao Yunyi’s cave and devoured a group of treasure hunters before he returned. Reunited with her master, she eagerly sought his affection but became distressed when he said she was not yet truly his Spirit Pet.

• Bai Suzhen waited on the mountain for Gao Yunyi, then found his abandoned cave and guarded it from intruders.
• Hungry and protective of her master’s treasures, Bai Suzhen swallowed a man in white and the other treasure hunters who had trespassed.
• After eating the intruders, Bai Suzhen called out for her master, and Gao Yunyi appeared behind her.
• Bai Suzhen affectionately wrapped herself around Gao Yunyi and tried to get closer, but he stopped her and said she was not yet truly his Spirit Pet.
• Bai Suzhen looked hurt at Gao Yunyi’s words, while he was satisfied that he had returned to claim her.

Gao Yunyi watched Bai Suzhen devour a young man in white who seemed destined for greatness, then set off for the Capital to make his appearance as an Immortal. The emperor and the people prepared an elaborate welcome, but the Immortal had still not arrived by evening.

• Gao Yunyi watched the young man in white escape his pursuers and reach the cave, but Bai Suzhen ate him before he could become a hero.
• Gao Yunyi stroked Bai Suzhen, explained that Senior Maybach Crane was taking a few days off, and stored Bai Suzhen in the Spirit Pet Slot.
• Gao Yunyi decided to attend to the Capital and make a grand entrance as an Immortal.
• The Liang Emperor received word that the Immortal was coming and ordered the construction of the Welcome Immortals Tower to be filled with treasures.
• The Capital's officials and residents prepared the streets and gathered in ranked groups to welcome the Immortal.
• The emperor waited atop the Welcome Immortals Tower, but the Immortal had not appeared by evening.

The Capital awaited the Immortal as purple clouds, frost, lightning, an Immortal Bird, and celestial music heralded the arrival. Xiao Chengchen saw the Immortal as his last chance to reclaim the throne, but the Immortal had yet to appear.

• The nobles and crowds remained at their posts and waited in the Capital for the Immortal.
• Xiao Chengchen recalled Wang Jiangshi's advice that winning the Immortal's favor could secure him the throne, and resolved to seek the Immortal's approval.
• Purple clouds swept across the sky, and a purple Immortal Sword tore over the Capital.
• Frost filled the sky as the weather turned cold, leaving Xiao Chengchen awed by the Immortal's power.
• Lightning struck, an Immortal Bird flew from the clouds, and celestial music arose, but the Immortal had not yet appeared.

Gao Yunyi completed his mission by making a spectacular descent into the Capital and meeting the Liang Emperor, Xiao Chengqian. After Gao Yunyi ordered him to kneel, the emperor obeyed and asked for another Immortal Elixir.

• Gao Yunyi descended onto the Welcome Immortals Tower amid immortal music and moonlight, causing the people of the Capital to kneel.
• Xiao Chengchen watched the Immortal’s arrival with envy and renewed his desire to become emperor.
• Gao Yunyi turned off his game effects, entered the tower room, and sat on the dragon throne before the Liang Emperor.
• The Liang Emperor introduced himself and welcomed Gao Yunyi, but Gao Yunyi ordered him to kneel.
• The Liang Emperor knelt and asked Gao Yunyi for another Immortal Elixir.

The Liang Emperor begged Gao Yunyi for another Spirit-Gathering Pill and offered treasures, worship, and even his throne in exchange. After completing a quest and receiving purple equipment, Gao Yunyi had the emperor repeat his request, accepted a new quest, and gave him a pill.

• The Liang Emperor admitted that he had already taken a Spirit-Gathering Pill and pleaded with Gao Yunyi for another to restore his failing vitality.
• The Liang Emperor offered Gao Yunyi mortal treasures and worship, then agreed to abdicate if Gao Yunyi wanted the throne.
• Gao Yunyi completed a quest, gained two levels, and received the purple Moon Lotus Spirit Pendant.
• Gao Yunyi asked the Liang Emperor to repeat his request, and the emperor set aside his dignity and did so.
• A quest appeared for Gao Yunyi to give the Liang Emperor a Spirit-Gathering Pill, and Gao Yunyi accepted it and tossed the pill to him.

Gao Yunyi accepted the Liang Emperor’s arrangements for his vacation after the emperor secured an Immortal Elixir and offered him the throne. The emperor left to prepare lodging, while Gao Yunyi warned himself not to let the old ruler provoke him into killing.

• The Liang Emperor accepted the Spirit-Gathering Pill from Gao Yunyi and promised to abdicate the next day.
• Gao Yunyi dismissed the offer of the throne and said he had only come to relax and enjoy himself.
• The Liang Emperor praised Gao Yunyi, promised to provide everything he needed, and left to arrange his lodging.
• Gao Yunyi decided the Liang Emperor was interesting but warned that he had come on vacation, not to kill.

Gao Yunyi accepted the Liang Emperor’s arrangements for a vacation, gave himself the title Qingxuan, and rode in the emperor’s luxurious carriage to a mountain palace prepared as his immortal residence. The chapter ended as Gao Yunyi looked upon the guarded retreat in the night.

• Gao Yunyi declined to give the Liang Emperor his name and told him to call him Qingxuan.
• The Liang Emperor, Xiao Chengqian, was overwhelmed by the meaning of Qingxuan and bowed to pay his respects.
• Gao Yunyi descended Welcome Immortals Tower while its attendants and Yulin Guards knelt before him.
• Gao Yunyi boarded the Liang Emperor’s dragon carriage and relaxed as it carried him from the tower.
• The carriage arrived at a guarded palace complex in the green mountains, which the Liang Emperor had prepared as Gao Yunyi’s immortal residence.

Gao Yunyi grew bored with the palace entertainment and ordered his attendant to bring him Zhang Qingyan, the Capital’s most notorious pleasure-seeker. Zhang Qingyan slipped out of his family’s estate but was ambushed by two beggars and knocked unconscious.

• Gao Yunyi stopped the court musicians and dancers, then asked his attendant to find the Capital’s most debauched pleasure-seeker.
• The attendant named Zhang Qingyan, the minister of war’s son, and Gao Yunyi ordered him brought to the palace.
• Zhang Qingyan sneaked out through the back gate of his family’s residence after his father left for the palace.
• Two beggars confronted Zhang Qingyan at the alley’s mouth and confirmed his identity.
• The beggars struck Zhang Qingyan’s neck, leaving him unconscious.

Xiao Chengchen defied the emperor’s decree to seek the Azure Profound Immortal Venerable’s favor, bringing what he believed were refined gifts. He was admitted, knelt at the Immortal’s command, and prepared to reveal his collection of writings, leaving Gao Yunyi curious about what he had brought.

• Xiao Chengchen arrived at the temporary palace’s detached residence with gifts, hoping to win the Immortal’s favor and improve his chances of ascending the throne.
• The guards initially barred Xiao Chengchen from entering under the emperor’s decree, but Gao Yunyi agreed to receive him.
• Xiao Chengchen entered the hall, saw the extravagant singing and dancing, and blamed the mortal world for the Immortal’s apparent indulgence.
• Xiao Chengchen introduced himself respectfully, but Gao Yunyi told him to kneel, and he obeyed.
• Xiao Chengchen offered gifts and said they were not commonplace, making Gao Yunyi wonder whether they included heavenly materials or earthly treasures.

Imperial eldest grandson Xiao Chengchen offered Gao Yunyi three chests of books, but Gao Yunyi ordered him to scram. Xiao Zhaohuang raced back to the Capital, determined to secure the Immortal’s favor as well as the throne.

• Xiao Chengchen presented Gao Yunyi with classical texts, annotated Confucian works, and his own poetry and essays, expecting praise.
• Gao Yunyi, reminded of his schooldays by the books, told Xiao Chengchen to scram.
• Wang Zitao learned from a dazed Xiao Chengchen that the Immortal had rejected him, while the three chests of books were thrown outside the retreat.
• Xiao Zhaohuang hurried toward the Capital with several hundred Phoenix Plume Guards after quelling the rebellion in Ji Province.
• Xiao Zhaohuang worried that Xiao Chengchen might win the Immortal’s favor and ordered her guards to ride faster.

Zhang Qingyan was kidnapped by palace eunuchs and brought before someone who had summoned him by name. He was led into a magnificent hall, where he saw a peerlessly beautiful figure he believed was an immortal.

• Zhang Qingyan threatened his kidnappers by invoking his father, Minister of War Zhang Erhai, until they removed the cloth covering his head.
• A cultured eunuch recited Zhang Qingyan’s background and criticized his idle, dissolute life, while Zhang defended himself as a harmless good-for-nothing.
• Zhang Qingyan recognized that his captors were palace eunuchs and learned that a person known as the Immortal had asked to see him.
• An expert eunuch cut Zhang Qingyan’s bonds and escorted him through the palace as Zhang tried to question and befriend him.
• The eunuchs led Zhang Qingyan into a grand hall, where he saw a peerlessly beautiful figure he would never forget.

Zhang Qingyan mistook Gao Yunyi for an Immortal and tried to reform himself, but Gao Yunyi wanted his talents as a profligate. Gao Yunyi ordered Zhang Qingyan to take him to the Capital’s brothels and gambling dens, and Zhang Qingyan reluctantly agreed.

• Zhang Qingyan was overwhelmed by Gao Yunyi’s appearance and knelt, believing he was an Immortal.
• Zhang Qingyan swore to abandon his debauchery and become a worthy son and official, prompting Gao Yunyi to order him beaten and thrown out.
• Zhang Qingyan declared himself the Capital’s most famous profligate and listed his knowledge of brothels, gambling dens, and other amusements.
• Gao Yunyi told Zhang Qingyan to take him along on his usual rounds, alarming Zhang Qingyan and the chief eunuch.
• Zhang Qingyan tried to refuse but agreed after seeing Gao Yunyi’s cold expression.

Gao Yunyi went with Zhang Qingyan to Qinlan Tower to experience the capital’s pleasure quarter, disguising his face to avoid attracting attention. When passersby mocked Zhang, Gao reassured him and let him lead the way inside, while the crowd continued to condemn them.

• Gao Yunyi decided to visit a brothel and asked Zhang Qingyan to show him around the capital’s pleasure quarter.
• Gao Yunyi and Zhang Qingyan rode from the palace residence toward Qinlan Tower, with Zhang terrified at the thought of accompanying an Immortal to a brothel.
• Gao Yunyi wore a silver-white mask and took in the bustling streets of the capital after the carriage arrived.
• Passersby mocked Zhang Qingyan for visiting Qinlan Tower in broad daylight, and Zhang feared Gao Yunyi would think less of him.
• Gao Yunyi put a hand on Zhang’s shoulder, told him to lead the way, and warned him not to reveal his identity.
• Zhang Qingyan swaggered into Qinlan Tower with Gao Yunyi following, as the onlookers continued to berate him.

Gao Yunyi visited Qinlan Tower with Zhang Qingyan, where Red Mama was inexplicably captivated by him and hurried away. Zhang Qingyan led Gao Yunyi and their companions to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion to eat and await the courtesans.

• Zhang Qingyan explained the fame of Qinlan Tower and brought Gao Yunyi there shortly after noon.
• Zhang Qingyan called for the staff, and Red Mama came downstairs to greet him and complain that business had suffered since the Immortal arrived in the Capital.
• Zhang Qingyan panicked when Red Mama spoke carelessly in front of Gao Yunyi and noticed the chief attendant glaring at him.
• Red Mama studied Gao Yunyi, became flustered and weak-kneed, then left and ordered Wangcai to serve the visitors at the Warm Fragrance Pavilion.
• Zhang Qingyan dismissed Red Mama's strange behavior and led Gao Yunyi and their companions upstairs for food and drink.

Gao Yunyi enjoyed the attention of Qinlan Tower’s Four Golden Flowers while Zhang Qingyan watched jealously. When Zhang Qingyan asked for Yuan'er, Madam Hong revealed that Yuan'er's virginity had been taken the previous night.

• Zhang Qingyan hosted Gao Yunyi in the Warm Fragrance Pavilion and ordered a more beautiful batch of women to attend them.
• Gao Yunyi accepted the Four Golden Flowers’ attentive service, leaving Zhang Qingyan stunned and envious.
• Madam Hong entered, teased Zhang Qingyan, and tried to rein in the Four Golden Flowers’ infatuation with Gao Yunyi.
• Zhang Qingyan asked why Yuan'er had not come to see him, and Madam Hong told him Yuan'er's virginity had been taken last night.

Zhang Qingyan learned that Yuan'er had given herself to Lu Xiuyan, then confronted him at her chamber and heard Yuan'er reject him. Lu Xiuyan revealed that he had seduced Yuan'er deliberately to hurt Zhang Qingyan, and Zhang ended the confrontation with a furious insult.

• Mama Hong told Zhang Qingyan that Yuan'er had spent her first night with Lu Xiuyan, and Zhang collapsed in grief.
• Zhang Qingyan rushed to Yuan'er's chamber while Gao Yunyi and the others followed to watch.
• Lu Xiuyan opened the door, and Zhang accused him of deliberately taking Yuan'er's first night.
• Lu Xiuyan mocked Zhang Qingyan, and Yuan'er said she loved Lu Xiuyan and told Zhang not to return.
• Lu Xiuyan revealed that he had seduced Yuan'er to take revenge on Zhang Qingyan and had no intention of keeping his promise to make her his concubine.
• Lu Xiuyan taunted Zhang about Yuan'er, and Zhang cursed him.

At Qinlan Tower, Gao Yunyi watched Zhang Qingyan and Lu Xiuyan fight until the Pacification Investigation Office arrived, but an imperial palace attendant ordered the officials released. Zhang Qingyan hid his heartbreak behind bravado and followed Gao Yunyi to a gambling house, while the attendant paid Red Mama for the damage.

• Gao Yunyi refused to intervene as Zhang Qingyan and Lu Xiuyan fought, and he entertained the four beauties of Qinlan Tower.
• Lu Jianxing and his men arrived to arrest the fighters, but the chief palace attendant revealed an imperial token and ordered them released.
• Shen Lian said he thought he had seen an Immortal, while Lu Xiuyan left furious and threatened Zhang Qingyan.
• Zhang Qingyan concealed his sorrow and invited Gao Yunyi to another brothel, but Gao Yunyi suggested they go gambling instead.
• The chief palace attendant gave Red Mama a stack of banknotes to cover the damage to Qinlan Tower.

Gao Yunyi accompanied Zhang Qingyan to a secret Gambling Den, where Zhang Qingyan’s reputation as the Capital’s God of Gamblers proved to be a reputation for losing. After losing all his money, Zhang Qingyan was left humiliated before Gao Yunyi.

• Gao Yunyi teased Zhang Qingyan about being a virgin as they walked toward the Gambling Den.
• Zhang Qingyan led Gao Yunyi and their companion to a hidden Gambling Den and got them into a private room.
• The gamblers welcomed Zhang Qingyan as the Wealth-Scattering Boy, eager to profit from his losses.
• Zhang Qingyan regained his confidence with Gao Yunyi beside him and challenged the gamblers.
• Zhang Qingyan lost more than ten rounds in a row and returned having lost all the money he carried.